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Compendium of State Privacy and Security Legislation: 1997 Overview - New Jersey

NCJ Number
170065
Date Published
May 1997
Annotation
This is a 1997 overview of New Jersey law pertinent to the privacy and security of criminal justice information.
Abstract

The Division of State Police is provided mandates for the criminal history record information background checks for non- criminal justice purposes. They address authorized and unauthorized access and uses. Access to criminal history record information for non-criminal justice purposes, including licensing or employment, is restricted to authorized agencies as defined by the law. State law establishes the State Bureau of Identification within the Department of State Police, which is responsible for collecting, managing, and disseminating data from law enforcement agencies. The nucleus of the Bureau is files of fingerprints and photographs. Sections on the expungement of records include provisions on the expungement of records of young drug offenders, arrests that do not result in conviction, the effects of expungement, and disclosure of the expungement order. New Jersey law pertinent to examining and obtaining copies of public records establishes a policy that public records shall be readily accessible for examination by citizens, with certain exceptions. There is a provision for proceedings to enforce this right when access to information is denied. The executive order that established the Criminal Justice Privacy and Security Council is also included in this compendium. The Council is responsible for reviewing requests for access to criminal history information by non-criminal justice agencies or individuals, reviewing preliminary appeals related to individual challenges to criminal history records of these individuals, and conducting initial reviews for access to sealed criminal history records.

Date Published: May 1, 1997